ELIVERED  AT  THE  OPENING  OF 
THE  "NEW  CHAPEL 


BX 

9211 

.P44 

D57 

1856 


AT  THE 

iil.OR-S  SNUG  HARBO 

Bv            imm 

ir'-   PHILLIPS"! 

uw!iV 

3,^1 


^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ^ 


Presented    by     A.G-    CcsTne-TO-n  ,  rn.U. 


BX  9211  .P44  D57  1856 
Phillips,  W.  W.  1796-1865. 

Discourse  delivered  at  the 

opening  of  the  new  chapel 


DISCOU 


DELIVERED     AT  ,^, 

ERECTED  FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE  INMATES  OF  THE 

SAILORS'  SNUG  HARBOR, 

» 

ox 
STATEN     ISLAND. 

BY 

W.    W.  'P  H  I  L  L  I  P  S  ,    D  .  D  . 
PUBLISHED    BY    REQUEST    OF    THE    TRUSTEES. 


NEW  YORK  : 

ROBERT    CARTER    AND    BROTHERS 
No.  530  Broadway,  Corxbr  of  Sprixg  Strket. 

1856. 


EUiaarti  ©.  3cnkins,  printer, 

26  FBANKFOBT  8TEEET. 


DISCOURSE. 


Ps.vLM  Ixxxiv.  1  : 
"  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacle?,  0  Lord  of  hosts  I" 

We  have  here  an  expression  of  the 
strong  affection  which  the  Psahnist  felt 
for  the  sanctuary  of  God.  He  was  dis- 
tinguished for  his  love  of  devotion  ;  his 
dehght  was  in  the  worsliip  of  his  God. 
He  loved  the  house  of  God,  and  the 
solemn  assembly  ;  and  frequented  them 
as  the  means  of  holding  communion 
with  the  Father  of  his  spirit. 

To  have  the  light  of  His  countenance 
lifted  up  upon  him,  gave  him  more  joy 
than  the  increase  of  corn  and  wine 
could  give  to  the  wicked.     He  valued 


one  day  in  the  courts  of  the  Lord,  more 
than  a  thousand  elsewhere  ;  and  would 
rather  be  a  doorkeeper  there,  than  to 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

When  deprived  of  the  use  of  his  re- 
ligious privileges,  no  one  ever  felt  the 
privation  more  sensibly,  or  regretted  it 
more  deeply.  When  away  from  them, 
he  could  say  in  sincerity  :  "As  the  hart 
panteth  after  the  water-brooks,  so 
panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  0  God ! 
When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before 
God  r 

Whilst  he  was  thus  distinguished, 
however,  he  was  not  alone  in  his  views 
and  feelings  with  respect  to  divine  or- 
dinances. 

The  sentiment  which  he  uttered  in 
the  text,  is  that  of  all  the  true  servants 


of  God.  They  all  cle^sire  to  honor  him 
in  the  way  of  his  appointment,  to  do 
his  will,  and  to  dwell  in  his  presence  : 
they  love  the  Sabbath,  and  the  service 
of  the  sanctuary  :  and  when  deprived 
of  them,  feel  like  exiles,  and  find  the 
effects  of  such  privation  to  be  leanness, 
estrangement  from  God,  and  the  loss  of 
spiritual  peace  and  joy. 

^Ve  need  spend  little  time  in  exjDlain- 
ing  what  is  meant  by  "  the  tabernacles 
of  the  Lord  of  hosts."  It  is  the  figura- 
tive language  of  the  Old  Testament,  and 
expresses  in  this  connection,  the  p>laces 
of  religious  worship,  including  the  word 
and  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  wdiich  were 
there  administered  as  the  symbols  of 
the  divine  presence. 


6 

We  know  that "  Jehovali  clwellethnot 
in  temples  made  with  hands,"  neither  is 
worshipped  as  though  he  needeth  any- 
thing. "  The  heaven  of  heavens  cannot 
contain  him."  We  know,  also,  that  with 
him  is  no  respect  of  persons  ;  "but  in 
every  nation,  he  that  feareth  him  and 
worketh  righteousness,  is  accepted  of 
him." 

He  has  graciously  promised  to  be 
"  nigh  unto  all  that  call  upon  him,  and 
wherever  two  or  three  are  met  together 
in  his  name,  to  be  in  the  midst  of  them ;" 
yea,  he  visits  the  private  abodes  of  men, 
and  has  promised  to  look  to  that  man 
who  is  humble  and  'of  a  contrite  spirit, 
and  who  tremble th  at  his  word.  Yet 
he  has  enjoined  it  upon  us  to  assemble 
ourselves  together  for  his  public  wor- 


ship.  From  necessity  and  as  a  matter 
of  convenience,  therefore,  phices  must 
be  prepared  in  which  to  perform  this 
service. 

There  must  be  liouses  of  prayer  in 
which  we  may  meet  for  his  worship, 
where  we  mav  come  tosrether  in  the 
name  of  Christ,  in  the  faith  that  he  will 
record  his  name  there,  and  manifest  his 
gracious  presence  in  power  and  glory. 

These  are  his  earthly  courts,  his  ta- 
bernacles, the  gates  of  Zion,  which  he 
loveth  more  than  all  the  dwellings  of 
Jacob.  These  are  Bethels,  meeting- 
places  between  God  and  his  people,  the 
birth-place  of  souls,  the  nurseries  for 
heaven.  Of  them  it  shall  be  said,  this 
and  that  man  was  born  in  them.  The 
Highest  himself  shall  establish  them. 


The  Lord  shall  count,  when  he  writeth 
up  the  people,  that  many  were  born 
there. 

The  tabernacles  of  the  Lord  are 
amiable,  desirable,  and  attractive  above 
all  other  places,  on  account  of  the  ines- 
timable benefits  which  are  connected 
with  them  being  proclaimed  and  offered 
there,  and  may  be  obtained  by  those 
who  seek  them  there.  These  are,  par- 
don, justification  in  the  sight  of  God, 
deliverance  from  the  power  of  sin,  and 
eternal  life,  without  which  none  can  be 
happy. 

Considering  our  relations  to  Grod  as 
his  creatures  and  as  sinners,  and  that 
we  must  sooner  or  later  appear  before 
his  judgment-seat  to  give  an  account  of 
the  deeds  done  in  the  body,  it  is  evi- 


1) 

dent  that  tho  pardon  of  our  sins,  and 
restoration  to  his  favor,  is  the  first 
benefit  we  need  and  the  most  import- 
ant we  can  receive.  It  is  essential  to 
our  happiness,  vital  to  our  l)est  inte- 
rests, and  can  be  obtained  nowhere  else 
than  of  God  in  Christ.  Without  it,  all 
our  attainments,  personal  qualities, 
temporal  possessions  and  enjoyments, 
can  be  of  no  permanent  value.  With 
the  most  amiable  disposition — with  all 
the  learning,  knowledge,  and  skill  in 
arts  that  can  be  acquired — with  wealth, 
with  honor  from  men,  and  all  the  plea- 
sures which  this  world  can  give — the 
soul  of  the  unpardoned  is  lost. 

He  who  is  the  great  proprietor  of  all 
— who  is  almighty,  the  source  of  light 
and  life — frowns   on  the   unpardoned, 
1* 


10 

and  will  by  no  means  clear  the  guilty. 
When  the  Holy  Spirit  awakens  a  sense 
of  guilt  in  the  conscience  of  the  sinner, 
he  is  made  to  realize  this,  "and  has  no 
peace,  but  is  as  the  troubled  sea  which 
cannot  rest."  Nor  can  he  even  obtain 
peace,  until  he  receives  assurance  from 
the  throne  of  God  that  there  is  forgive- 
ness for  him,  and  that  tJie  blood  of 
Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

We  need  a  perfect  righteousness, 
which  shall  satisfy  the  law  and  justice 
of  God,  before  we  can.  obtain  justifica- 
tion and  eternal  life. 

There  must  be  an  atonement  made 
for  the  transgression  of  the  holy  law  of 
God,  of  wdiich  we  are  guilty  ;  and  there 
must  be  perfect  obedience  given  to  all 
its  precepts,  or  its  sentence  of  condem- 


11 

nation  against  the  sinner  must  be  exe- 
cuted. Whilst  the  promise  of  hfe,  as 
the  reward  of  obedience,  cannot  be  re- 
ceived. We  have  no  righteousness,  and 
can  never  work  it  out  ourselves  ;  for  we 
have  a  depraved  nature,  and  are  with- 
out strength.  The  law  is  to  us  a  killing- 
letter,  and  worketh  wrath,  until  we  re- 
ceive the  righteousness  of  God  by  faith; 
the  perfect  and  everlasting  righteous- 
ness which  has  been  wrought  out  for 
us  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  which 
is  freely  offered  to  us  in  the  Gospel. 

We  need  dehverance  from  the  power 
and  bondage  of  in-dwelling  sin.  We 
have  been  taken  captive  by  Satan  at 
his  will.  We  have  been  enslaved  by 
corrupt  lusts  and  affections,  and  by  sin- 
ful habits.     We  are  infatuated  and  fas- 


12 

ciliated  by  the  deceitfuliiess  of  sin,  and, 
under  its  blinding  and  hardening  influ- 
ence, are  hurried  impetuously  and  heed- 
lessly forward  in  the  broad  road  which 
leads  to  death.  We  are  held  in  that 
hard  and  bitter  servitude,  until  we  re- 
ceive the  assurance  from  the  lips  of  the 
Saviour  :  ''If  the  Son  shall  make  you 
free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed.'' 

By  drawing  near  to  God  in  Christ,  in 
the  sanctuary — by  sitting  under  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel,  we  learn  the 
evil  nature,  the  ill  desert  and  tendency 
of  sin,  and  our  ruin  by  it;  at  the  same 
time  we  receive  assurance  of  the  love 
of  God,  of  his  gracious  purpose  to  save 
the  chief  of  sinners,  and  have  offered  to 
us  a  full  and  free  pardon  of  all  our  sins, 
and  a  title  to  eternal  life.     We  have 


13 

proclaimed  to  us,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
the  absohite  promise  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
to  quicken,  to  enlighten,  to  renew  the 
soul,  and  to  transform  it  into  the  like- 
ness of  God.  "A  new  heart  will  I  give 
you,  and  a  right  spirit  will  I  put  within 
you."  All  who  believe,  who  set  to 
their  seal  that  God  is  true,  actually  re- 
ceive the  blessing  promised.  They  are 
inwardly  changed,  and  made  to  hate 
sin,  to  love  holiness,  to  hunger  and 
thirst  after  righteousness,  and  to  delight 
in  the  law  of  God.  They  are  enabled 
to  put  off  the  old  man  which  is  corrupt 
according  to  deceitful  lusts,  and  being 
renewed  in  the  spirit  of  their  minds,  to 
put  on  the  new  man.  They  learn  the 
truth  of  the  promises,  also  :  "  Sin  shall 
not  have  dominion  over  you,  for  ye  arc 


14. 

not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace." 
''  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  you.''  "As 
your  day,  so  shall  your  strength  be." 

Our  access  to  God  in  his  taberna- 
cles, is  the  source  of  our  purest  and 
highest  enjoyment.  God  is  apprehend- 
ed as  a  God  of  love  and  mercy,  as  re- 
conciled and  waiting  to  be  gracious  ; 
His  voice  is  heard  as  the  voice  of  a 
friend,  as  the  voice  of  our  Father  in 
heaven.  We  approach  Him  without 
slavish  fear,  with  filial  reverence,  with 
the  affection  of  children  ;  we  feel  that 
we  occupy  the  place  v/here  he  has 
promised  to  meet  us  as  the  hearer  of 
prayer,  and  concerning  which  he  has 
said,  "  This  is  my  rest,  here  will  I  dwell." 
Such  an  apprehension  of  Jehovah  by 
faith,    and    the    contemplation    of   the 


15 

truths  which  are  here  revealed,  is  the 
most  worthy  and  appropriate,  tlie  most 
elevating  and  delightful  exercise  of  the 
powers  of  the  soul,  of  which  they  are 
capable.  It  is  purifying  and  perfective 
of  our  being.  It  is  refreshing  and  ani- 
mating. It  fills  the  vast  capacities  of 
the  mind  ;  satisfies  the  desires  of  the 
heart,  and  the  longings  of  the  soul ;  it 
lifts  the  true  worshipper  above  tlie 
world  and  its  changes,  and  brings  him 
into  the  enjoyment  "  of  thefavor  of  God 
which  is  life,  and  of  His  loving  kind- 
ness which  is  better  than  life.'' 

Here  we  learn  how  to  live,  how  to 
suffer,  how  to  die.  He  who  attends  on 
the  instructions  of  the  word  of  God, 
given  in  the  sanctuary,  shall  not  walk 
in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the  liglit  of 
life. 


16 

He  will  learn  contentment  with  his 
lot  ;  resignation  to  the  will  of  Gocl, 
and  the  duty  of  trusting  in  Him  at  all 
times.  We  read  of  one  whose  feet  had 
well  nigh  slipped ;  who  was  envious  at 
the  foolish  when  he  saw  the  prosperity 
of  the  wicked  ;  who  had  the  cause  of 
his  envy  removed  by  gohig  into- the 
sanctuary.  There  he  had  the  mystery 
of  providence  explained.  He  learned 
that  the  wicked  are  not  to  be  envied. 
Though  they  may  for  a  time  spread 
themselves  in  great  power,  like  a  green 
bay  tree,  and  enjoy  an  outward,  flour- 
ishing prosperity,  they  stand  in  slip- 
pery j)laces,  and  will  soon  be  gone. 
They  shall  be  driven  away  in  their 
wickedness,  be  forgotten  in  the  earth, 
and  shall  never  see  Grod  in  peace.  Yery 


17 

dififereiit  is  the  state,  aucl  very  diller- 
ent  will  be  the  end  of  the  righteous. 
Thouglithey  may  have  many  afflictions, 
the  Lord  will  support  them,  and  will 
deliver  them  out  of  them  all ;  their 
path  is  that  of  the  just  which  shineth 
brighter  and  brighter  unto  the  perfect 
day,  and  their  end  shall  be  peace.  At- 
tendance in  the  sanctuary,  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  will  keep  in  exercise 
faith,  repentance,  love,  gratitude,  hope 
and  joy,  and  will  constrain  us  to  live  in 
newness  of  life  as  followers  of  them 
who,  through  faith  and  patience,  inher- 
it the  promises  ;  for  it  is  a  place  of 
remembrance,  intended  to  recal  to  our 
minds  wdiat  God  is,  and  what  he  has 
done  for  us ;  who  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is,  and  the  history  of  His  humili- 


18 

ation,  sLitFerings,  obedience,  death,  re- 
surrection, ascension,  and  intercession 
for  us  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ! 
Every  house  of  prayer  is  a  memorial 
of  these  great  truths,  and  an  earnest  of 
our  eternal  redemption,  intended  to 
confirm  and  strengthen  our  faith.  A 
visit  to  the  house  of  God  recals  his 
dealings  with  us  personally,  and  all  the 
v^ay  in  which  we  have  been  led.  We 
here,  as  it  w^ere,  live  our  lives  over 
again,  learning  wisdom  from  experi- 
ence, lamenting  our  errors,  and  short- 
comings our  ingratitude,  waywardness, 
and  unfaithfulness,  as  contrasted  with 
His  goodness,  mercy,  and  faithfulness 
which  have  followed  us  continually, 
causing  true  and  ingenuous  repentance. 
How  many  tender  and  endearing  re- 


19 

collections  are  awakened  by  a  review 
of  the  gracious  dealings  of  God  with 
us  ?  Throughout  our  whole  course, 
and  in  all  the  changes  through  which 
we  have  passed,  of  prosperity  or  Qf  ad- 
versity ;  in  all  the  scenes  in  which  we 
have  been  actors  ;  in  all  our  afflictions, 
domestic,  social,  or  personal ;  in  all  our 
trials,  sorrows,  or  joys,  His  purpose 
has  been  one,  and  all  that  He  has  done 
has  been  done  with  a  gracious  design, 
in  infinite  wisdom,  love,  and  mercy. 
At  different  times  He  has  spoken  as  it 
were,  w^ith  a  voice  from  heaven,  say- 
ing, "  Do  not  this  thing  which  I  hate  ; 
turn  ye,  turn  ye  ;  why  will  ye  die  ? 
This  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it." 

How  often   has  He    prevented   the 
mischief  we  were  bringing  upon  our- 


20 

selves  ?  Denied  us,  or  taken  from  us, 
that  which  would  have  ruined  us,  and 
broken  in  upon  our  earthly  comforts 
which  were  drawing  us  away  from  Him, 
and  bringing  us  into  a  state  of  carnal 
security  and  spiritual  sloth.  He  saw 
the  danger,  and  provided  the  remedy. 
He  sent  the  chastisement,  removed  from 
under  us  the  false  prop,  took  away  the 
endearing  comfort,  the  darling  idol, 
and  swept  away  the  refuge  of  lies, 
teaching  us  to  be  still,  and  to  know 
that  he  was  God,  and  enabling  us  to 
say,  ''  It  is  well." 

We  are  reminded  also,  and  not  with- 
out profit,  of  all  those  who  have  gone 
before  us  in  the  same  way,  of  the  vol- 
ume of  incense,  of  the  pure  offerings 
which  have  ascended  through  success- 


21 

ive  generations,  of  the  worship,  tlie 
prayers,  tears,  holy  communion,  and 
happy  experience  of  all  the  devoted 
followers  of  the  Lamb,  who  have  pre- 
ceded us,  and  whose  spirits  now  rest 
with  God  in  glory.  They  met,  as  we  do 
now,  to  honor  God,  and  to  be  honored 
by  him.  They  sang  his  praise,  called 
on  his  name,  meditated  on  the  same 
gospel  which  is  ours  now.  They  all 
drank  of  the  same  spiritual  rock  which 
is  Christ,  and  partook  of  the  same  spi- 
ritual meat.  They  all  felt  in  some  de- 
gree, the  same  desires,  hopes,  and  fears. 
From  time  to  time  they  approached 
the  table  of  the  Lord,  which  is  still 
spread  for  us,  with  trembling,  and  yet 
with  rejoicing  ;  they  wept,  and  prayed, 
and  prevailed  ;  they  braced  themselves 


22 

for  the  warfare  with  sin,  sataii,  and  the 
world,  strengthening  themselves  in  God 
as  their  light  and  their  salvation,  and 
for  the  last  conflict  with  death,  and 
they  conquered. 

To  some  of  you,  the  tabernacles  of 
the  Lord  are  amiable,  on  account  of  the 
recollections  of  your  personal  experi- 
ence in  them.  There  first  did  you  feel 
convictions  of  your  sinfulness  and  lost 
state,  and  there  first  did  you  meet  the 
Saviour.  You  were  drawn  to  him,  and 
made  willing  to  give  yourself  to  him  ; 
you  have  there  sat  under  his  shadow 
with  great  delight ;  experienced  times 
of  refreshing  from  his  presence  in  your 
fellowship  with  him. 

It  is  said  of  the  Queen  of  Sheba, 
that  upon  beholding  the  pleasantness 


23 

of  Jerusalem,  the  splendors  of  Solo- 
mon's court,  and,  above  all,  the  magnifi- 
cence of  the  Temple,  with  the  impos- 
ing services  therein  performed,  there 
was  no  more  spirit  in  her.  How  much 
more  affecting  to  us  should  be  the  sight 
of  the  reality,  and  the  enjoyment  of 
the  substance  of  what  was  only  sha- 
dowed forth  at  Jerusalem  and  hi  the 
Temple  ? 

Even  Balaam,  when  from  the  top  of 
Beor,  he  saw  the  children  of  Israel 
abiding  in  their  tents  w^ith  a  sensible 
glory  in  the  midst  of  them,  was  con- 
strained to  exclaim,  "  How^  goodly  are 
thy  tents,  0  Jacob,  and  thy  taberna- 
cles, 0  Israel." 

How"  much  more  amiable  must  be 
the  assembUes  of  the  saints  to  him  Avho 


24 

knows  that  "  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and 
shield  ;  that  he  will  give  grace  and  glory, 
and  will  withhold  no  good  thing  from 
them  that  walk  uprightly.'^  How  in- 
conceivably more  amiable  will  be  those 
mansions  of  which  we  are  here  remind- 
ed, and  for  which  we  may  here  be  in 
process  of  preparation  ;  from  which 
sin  and  sorrow  are  excluded.  And  how 
much  more  goodly  must  be  that  camp 
of  the  saints,  and  that  beloved  city 
above,  where  righteousness  and  joy 
reign  triumphant,  and  peace  and  unity 
are  broken  no  more. 

That  w^hich  makes  the  tabernacles  of 
the  Lord  amiable  to  every  believer,  is 
the  revelation  of  Christ  in  them,  as  the 
only  ark  of  safety,  the  true  city  of  ref- 
uge.    He  is,  to  them  that  believe,  set 


here  ' '  for  a  sanctuary,  a  refuge,  a  hiding- 
place  from  the  wind,  a  covert  from  the 
tempest."  In  him  there  is  a  supply  for 
all  our  wants,  a  deliverance  from  all 
our  fears,  a  defence  against  all  our  dan- 
gers, a  relief  from  all  our  cares,  a  rest 
from  all  our  trials,  consolation  under  all 
our  distresses,  and  hope  in  death.  It 
is  because  He  in  whom  dwells  all  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily — who  is 
Jehovah,  and  yet  our  elder  brother — 
"who  has  been  made  perfect  through 
suffering  as  the  captain  of  our  salva- 
tion, and  is  able  to  save  to  the  utter- 
most all  that  come  unto  God  by  him," 
has  promised  to  abide  in  his  earthly 
tabernacles  until  the  end  of  time,  that 
they  are  amiable  to  the  Christian. 
They  are  also  the  means  of  the  great- 
2 


2G 

est  good  to  tlie  community  in  which 
they  are  located.  The  Christian  Sab- 
bath— the  pubhc  worship  of  God — the 
administrations  of  his  trutli  and  ordi- 
nances— the  instructions  connected  with 
and  imparted  by  his  churches,  are  the 
bulwarks  and  glory  of  the  lands  in  which 
they  are  enjoyed.  There  can  be  no 
civil  liberty,  no  protection  of  personal 
rights,  property,  or  of  life,  no  well- 
regulated  social  intercourse,  no  domes- 
tic happiness  without  them.  All  must 
acknowledge  that  it  is  the  influence  of 
the  Bible  which  distinguishes  Christian 
from  pagan  lands.  But  the  Bible  would 
soon  be  neglected  and  lost,  the  Sabbath 
would  soon  be  universally  desecrated 
and  forgotten,  the  Christian  religion 
would  disappear  and  become  unknown. 


27 

without  the  teachings  of  the  house  of 
God.  Family  rehgion,  personal  piet}', 
private  virtues,  are  waters  which  flow 
from  the  sanctuary,  and  would  be  dried 
up  were  the  sanctuary  closed.  The 
fire  of  devotion  in  the  closet,  in  the 
family,  and  in  the  social  circle,  must 
come  from  the  altar  in  the  sanctuary. 
God  has  wisely  and  mercifully  adapted 
his  institutions  to  our  necessities,  to  our 
constitution  and  circumstances.  We 
need  to  meet  in  holy  convocation  for 
public  instruction  and  social  worship, 
and  to  enter  into  visible  communion 
with  God,  that  we  may  be  identified 
with  him,  and  known  as  his  followers. 
There  is  no  other  way  in  which  we  can 
openly  express  our  voluntary  subjec- 
tion to  him,  nor  our  approbation  and 


28 

acceptance  of  his  salvation.  Where 
this  is  not  done,  and  where  these  duties 
are  neglected,  there  is  no  true  rehgion  ; 
children  are  not  trained  up  in  the  nur- 
ture and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  fa- 
milies are  not  well-governed,  public 
sentiment  is  not  enlightened  on  the 
most  important  subjects,  public  morals 
are  corrupt. 

Facts  speak  louder  on  this  subject 
than  I  can  speak,  and  utter  a  language 
which  cannot  be  mistaken.  We,  as  a 
nation,  are  indebted  for  our  present 
elevated,  prosperous,  and  happy  state, 
under  a  kind  Providence,  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  God,  and  of  his  laws,  which  the 
Bible  imparts — to  the  influence  which 
the  church,  with  its  attendant  institu- 
tions, exerts — to  the  religious  feelings 


29 

and  habits  of  our  people — to  that  piihhc 
virtue  Avhich  is  the  fruit  of  Christian 
education — to  the  piety,  pra3'ers,  and 
conservative  example  of  tliose  among 
us  who  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  and 
the  light  of  the  world.  AVhat  is  it  that 
we  need,  in  the  present  state  of  our  af- 
fairs, that  our  government,  in  all  its 
departments,  may  be  wisely  and  faith- 
fully administered,  that  our  public  credit 
and  national  honor  may  be  maintained? 
Is  it  more  infidels?  more  speculative 
philosophers?  more  wily  politicians? 
more  Sabbath-breakers?  despisers  of 
God  and  negiecters  of  his  worship  ?  more 
practical  atheists  ?  Could  we  trust  such  ? 
Would  they  promote  public  peace, 
purity,  or  tranquility  ?  Xo,  my  friends  ; 
but  we  need  more  pure  and  undefiled 


80 

religion,  more  men  of  God,  more 
clmrches  filled  with  devout  worshippers, 
more  of  the  influence  of  the  gospel. 
Every  man  who  has  an  understanding 
of  these  things,  who  loves  his  country, 
w^ho  desires  good  government  and  tem- 
poral prosperity,  w4io  loves  liberty,  if 
he  be  influenced  by  no  higher  motive, 
will  love  the  house  of  God,  as  the  only 
means  of  securing  these  to  him. 

Once  more,  and  above  all :  the  taber- 
nacles of  the  Lord  are  amiable  in  the 
estimation  of  all  the  friends  of  God, 
because  through  them  He  is  most  hon- 
ored, and  receives  the  greatest  revenue 
of  glory.  All  his  works  praise  him 
passively ;  but  he  has  magnified  his 
word  above  all  his  name,  above  all  the 
ways   by  which   he  has  made  himself 


31 

known.  Here  he  has  revealed  his  wis- 
dom, power,  and  goodness,  not  only, 
but  his  justice  and  liis  grace — his  mercy 
and  truth — as  exercised  in  harmony  ; 
and  his  inteUigent  creatures  are  here 
taught  to  praise  him  actively,  and  to 
ascribe  to  him  the  glory  due  unto  his 
name  from  all  his  works.  The  public 
worship  of  the  sanctuarj',  is  an  acknowl- 
edgment of  Jehovah  as  the  Lord,  "the 
Lord  God,  merciful  and  gracious,  long- 
suffering,  and  abundant  in  goodness  and 
truth — keeping  mercy  for  thousands, 
forgiving  iniquity,  transgression,  and 
sin,  and  that  will  by  no  means  clear  the 
guilty."  It  is  a  recognition  of  all  his 
perfections  displayed  in  the  redemption 
of  sinners,  and  an  ascription  to  him,  in 


82 

the  way  of  his  own  appointment,  of  all 
the  praise  which  belongs  to  him. 

He  who  would  honor  God,  and  give 
unto  the  Lord  the  glory  due  unto  his 
name,  must  come  to  his  house,  con- 
template Jesus  Christ  as  he  is  here  set 
forth,  evidently  crucified  before  our 
eyes,  approach  the  throne  of  grace 
through  his  mediation,  and  worship  in 
the  beauty  of  holiness. 

It  is  your  privilege  this  day  to  enter 
into  one  of  those  earthly  tabernacles  of 
the  Lord.  Here  we  trust  "Jehovah 
will  record  his  name,  and  will  come 
unto  you  and  bless  you."  Here  you 
may  assemble  to  worship  Him  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  your  own  consci- 
ence.     Here  you  have  placed  before 


33    ^ 

you  an  open  Bible,  containing  the  word 
of  God's  grace,  "  which  is  able  to  make 
you  wise  unto  salvation,  to  build  you 
up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance 
among  them  that  are  sanctified."  Here 
3'ou  may  solemnly  dedicate  yourselves 
"in  an  everlasting  covenant,  as  living 
sacrifices  holy  and  acceptable  to  God  ;" 
here  you  may  receive  the  symbols  of 
the  broken  body  and  shed  blood  of  the 
Lord,  and  have  sealed  to  you  all  the 
benefits  of  his  death  and  resurrection. 
Here  you  may  actually  enjoy  those  ad- 
vantages, and  receive  those  spiritual 
blessings  of  which  we  have  spoken  as 
connected  with  the  sanctuary,  and  thus 
may  have  in  your  own  happy  experi- 
ence evidence  of  the  reality  of  the  mo- 
ral power  and  hallowed  influence  of  the 
rehgion  of  the  Bible.  2'"'' 


The  Trustees  of  this  institution  will 
feel  themselves  abundantly  compen- 
sated for  the  pains  they  have  taken  in 
planning  and  erecting  this  building,  if 
it  shall  be  appreciated,  and  filled  from 
time  to  time  with  humble,  devout,  and 
grateful  worshippers.  If  any  who  may 
have  been  ignorant  of  God,  and  of 
Christ,  shall  be  instructed  and  brought 
to  the  saving  knowledge  of  Him  ;  if  any 
who  may  have  wandered  from  the  path 
of  duty,  shall  be  reclaimed  ;  if  the  af- 
flicted and  tossed  with  the  losses,  dis- 
appointments, and  tempests  of  this 
world,  shall  be  comforted  and  find  rest, 
if  the  tried  and  grieved,  the  crushed 
and  broken-hearted,  shall  be  consoled 
and  hghtened  of  their  burdens  ■  if  the 
name  of  God  shall  be  hallowed,  and  his 


35 

kingdom  be  advanced  through  tlie  use 
of  it.  Could  we  instrumentally  in  any 
other  way,  exert  over  you  an  influence 
so  enhghtening,  so  elevating,  so  purify- 
ing, so  salutary,  so  soothing,  consoling, 
and  comforting,  as  by  preparing  for 
3'ou  this  house  of  worship,  where  you 
may  hear  the  blessed  Gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God  ?  Are  there  any  other 
means  than  those  which  God  has  ap- 
pointed, and  graciously  promised  to  at- 
tend with  his  blessing,  efficacious  to 
produce  so  great  and  glorious  a  change 
in  men  ?  Is  there  any  process  or 
known  cause  under  heaven,  except  the 
operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the 
soul,  adequate  to  produce  in  man  that 
"charity  which  suffereth  long  and  is 
kind,  which  envieth  not,  vaunteth   not 


36 

itself,  is  not  puffed  up,  doth  not  be- 
have itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  her 
own,  is  not  easily  provoked,  thinketh 
no  evil,  rejoiceth  not  in  inquity,  but  re- 
joiceth  in  the  truth,  beareth  all  things, 
believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things, 
endureth  all  things  P'  Is  there  any  other 
efficacious  remedy  for  the  ills  of  life 
except  that  which  the  Gospel  reveals  ? 
Are  there  any  other  considerations  ex- 
cept those  revealed  iti  the  Gospel  by 
which  men  can  become  reconciled  to 
their  own  dissolution  ?  Is  there  any- 
thing that  can  deliver  us  from  the  fear 
of  death,  support  us  in  the  hour  of  it, 
and  make  us  willing  to  depart,  except 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the 
"  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world  ;"  as  ''  the  way,  the  trutli, 


37 

the  resurrection,  and  the  hfe  ?"  Has  in- 
fidehtj  a  substitute  for  the  Gospel — a 
substitute  for  Christ?  and  for  tlic  hope 
of  immortaUty  through  him  ?  Can  that 
man  be  right,  safe,  and  above  all  cause 
of  fear,  who  finds  it  in  his  heart  to  op- 
pose, reject,  or  to  neglect  this  system 
of  truth  and  righteousness,  of  godliness, 
and  of  good-will  to  men  ?  who  habitu- 
ally absents  himself  from  the  house  of 
God,  and  stands  aloof  from  doing  any- 
thing to  honor  him  ?  who  can  say,  from 
any  cause,  I  care  for  none  of  these 
things  ;  I  care  not  for  pure  and  unde- 
filed  religion  which  teaches  us  to  visit 
the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  afflic- 
tions, and  to  keep  ourselves  unspotted 
from  the  world  ?  Has  he  no  father,  no 
mother,  no  brothers,  or  sisters,  no  wife, 


38 

nor  children,  nor  friends  ?  Has  he  no 
natural  affection,  nor  earthly  ties?  Is 
he  an  isolated  being  ?  Has  he  no  fear 
of  God,  of  death,  or  of  judgment  ?  Is 
he  prepared  for  all  the  vicissitudQ.s  of 
life — for  all  that  awaits  him  here  and 
hereafter  ?  Then  need  he  feel  no  in- 
terest in  these  things.  But  there  is  no 
such  being  ;  all  have  immortal  souls, 
.sustain  earthly  relations,  and  have  du- 
ties to  perform.  All  are  of  few  days 
and  full  of  trouble,  are  subject  to  death 
and  are  responsible  to  God.  All  need 
the  provisions  of  God's  house,  and  have 
cause  to  exclaim,  "How  amiable  are 
thy  tabernacles,  0  Lord  of  Hosts  !'' 

The  present  is  to  you  especially,  and 
to  us  all,  my  friends,  a  most  solemn. 


89 

intensely  interesting,  and  deeply  atVect- 
ing  occasion.  As  a  congregation,  you 
are  composed  "of  aged,  decrepit,  dis- 
abled, and  worn-out  seamen." ■  What 
memories  are  yours  I  !  of  scenes  through 
which  you  have  passed,  from  boyhood 
to  the  present  time.  You  have  had 
experience  of  leaving  home — of  part- 
ing from  parents,  and  kindred,  and 
friends,  and  from  your  beloved  land  ; 
of  the  troubles  and  perils  of  the  sea  ;  of 
the  toils,  privations,  hardships,  storms, 
exposures,  and  sufferings  which  fall  to 
the  lot  of  weather-beaten  mariners. 
Having  escaped  them  all  you  have  been 
brought  safely  into  this  Snug  Harbor, 
which  a  kind  and  beneficent  Providence 
has  prepared  for  you.  For  you  are  here 
not  as  prisoners,  nor  as  convicts,  nor  as 


40 

paupers,  but  as  proprietors,  in  so  far  as  ^ 
your  personal  use  and  enjoyment  of  the 
abundant,  adapted,  and  comfortable 
accommodations  and  privileges  of  this 
Institution  are  concerned.  It  is  held 
in  trust  by  those  who  are  responsible 
for  its  preservation  and  its  faithful 
management  for  your  use.  You  are 
here,  however,  not  to  spend  your  time 
in  idleness,  in  the  mere  animal  indul- 
gence of  eating,  and  drinking,  and 
sleeping  ;  but  you  are  here  to  refit. 
Your  voyage  has  not  yet  terminated  ; 
the  most  important  part  of  it  is  yet  be- 
fore you ;  there  are  breakers  still 
a-head  5  there  are  quicksands,  concealed 
rocks,  whirlpools,  and  yawning  gulphs. 
There  may  be  a  darker,  severer,  and 
more  terrific  storm,  and    a  more  awful 


41 

warring  of  the  elements  still  in  reserve 
for  you,  than  any  through  which  you 
have  ever  passed — you  may  yet  be 
hopelessly  wrecked,  and  left  to  sink 
into  the  deep  and  unfathomable  abyss. 
Have  you  prepared  your  bark  for  this 
last  part  of  your  voyage,  and  are  you 
sure  all  is  right  ?  Are  you  making 
daily  observations,  watching  the  clouds 
and  the  winds,  and  the  tides,  and  are 
you  habitually  ready  to  launch  at  any 
moment?  Above  all,  have  you  en- 
gaged Him  who  alone  can  pilot  you 
safely  through  this  dangerous  sea  into 
the  haven  of  eternal  rest  ?  This  is  the 
place,  and  now  is  the  time  in  which  to 
attend  to  this  duty.  Redeem  it  for  it 
is  short.  You  are  admonished  by  the 
removal  of  some  one  or  more  of  vour 


42 

associates  from  month  to  month,  and  by 
the  rapid  filhng  up  of  yonder  cemetery 
belonging  to  this  Institution,  that  you 
cannot  remain  here.  Knowing  "  that  it  is 
appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die,  and 
after  death  the  judgment,  and  that 
your  life  is  even  as  a  vapor,''  we  do 
earnestl}'  entreat,  and  affectionately 
beseech  you  to  make  your  peace  with 
God  by  receiving  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord, 
and  abiding  in  him.  "  Seek  him  whilst  he 
may  be  found  ;  call  upon  him  whilst 
he  is  near,"  and  accept  his  gracious  in- 
vitations. He  assures  you  '  'that  all  things 
are  ready,"  and  that  you  may  come  as 
you  are.  to  be  healed^  washed,  sanctified 
and  saved  by  him ;  he  who  has  pre- 
pared the  feast  will  provide  the  wedding 
garment.      "  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that 


43 

labor,  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  1  will 
give  you  rest.''  "If  any  man  thirst,  let 
him  come  unto  me  and  drink,  and  who- 
soever Cometh,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out;'  "  The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say 
come,  and  let  him  that  is  athirst  come, 
and  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely."  Call  upon  him 
now,  and  "ask  that  he  may  be  made 
unto  you  of  God,  wisdom,  righteous- 
ness, sanctification,  and  redemption." 
He  will  be  to  you,  instead  of  home,  of 
kindred,  and  of  friends,  to  make  your 
bed  in  your  sickness,  to  smooth  your 
pillow  in  a  dying  hour,  to  wipe  from 
your  brow  the  cold  sweat,  and  to  dry 
your  tears.  "  Having  your  heart  stayed 
on  him,''  he  will  keep  you  in  perfect 
peace,  w^ill  receive  your  departing  spi- 


44 

rit,  and  present  it  to  the  Father — re- 
deemed, regenerated,  sanctified,  and 
made  meet  for  the  inheritance  which  is 
incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth 
not  away. 


ADDENDA. 

The  Sailors'  Sxug  Harbor  was  found- 
ed by  tlie  late  Robert  Ricbard  Randall,  of 
tbe  city  of  New  York.  He  bequeatbed  tbe 
property  now  belonging  to  tliat  Institution 
to  tbe  Chancellor  of  tbe  State  of  New  York, 
to  tbe  Mayor  and  Recorder  of  tbe  city  of 
New  York,  to  tbe  President  of  tbe  Cbamber 
of  Commerce,  to  tbe  President  and  Vice- 
President  of  tbe  Marine  Society,  to  tbe  Rect- 
or of  Trinity  Cburcb,  and  to  tbe  Minister  of 
tbe  First  Presbyterian  Cburcb  in  tbe  city  of 
New  York,  for  tbe  time  being,  and  tbeir  re- 
spective successors  in  tbe  said  offices  forever, 
for  tbe  purpose  of  maintaining  and  support- 
ing under  tbeir  supervision  aged,  decrepid, 
and  worn-out  Sailors. 


46 

The  following  persons  have  been  Acting 
Trustees  of  the  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor  since 
the  incorporation  of  the  Board  in  Feb.,  1806 : 

1.  A."^   Chancellor  of  the  State  of  New  York — 

Keuben  II.  Walworth. 

2.  As  Mayors  of  the  city  of  Neio  York — Dewitt 

Clinton,  Marinus  Willet,  John  Fer- 
guson, Jacob  EadclifF,  Cadwallader  C. 
Colden,  Stephen  Allen,  A¥m.  Paulding, 
Philip  Hone,  Walter  Bowne,  Gideon 
Lee,  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence,  Aaron 
Clark,  Isaac  L.  Yarian,  Eobert  H. 
Morris,  Wm.  F.  Havemeyer,  James 
Harper,  Andrew  H.  Mickle,  Wm.  F. 
Brady,  Caleb  S.  Woodhull,  Ambrose 
C.  Kingsland,  Jacob  A.  Westervelt, 
Fernando  Wood. 

3.  As  Recorders  of  the  city  of  New    York — 


47 

Pierre  C.  Vanwyck,  Josiah  Ogden 
HofFnian,  Kicliard  Riker,  Peter  Au- 
gustus Jay,  Robert  H.  Morris,  Frederick 
A.  Talmage,  John  B.  Scott,  Francis  R. 
Tillou,  James  M.  Smith,  Jr. 

4.  As  Presidents  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
— Cornelius  Ray,  Wm.  Bayard,  Robert 
Lenox,  Isaac  Carow,  James  De  Peyster 
Ogden,  James  G.  King,  Moses  IL 
Grinnell,  Elias    Hicks,   Peletiah  Perit. 

0.  As  Presidents  of  the  Marine  Society — James 
Farquar,  John  Whetten,  Charles  H. 
Marshall. 

6.  As  Vice-Presidents  of  the  Marine  Society — 
Thomas  Farmar,  Wm.  AVhitlock,  James 
Lovitt,  Thomas  IT.  Merry,  AYilliam 
Thomson,  Jeremiah  Dickenson,  John 
M.  Ferrier. 


48 

7.  As  Senior  Ministers  and  Rectors  of  Trinity 

Church — Benjamin  Moore,  D.D.,  John 
Henry  Hobart,  D.D.,  William  Berrian, 
D.D. 

8.  As    Ministers   of   the    First    Presbyterian 

Church  in  the  city  of  New  York — John 
Kodgers,  D.D.,  Philip  Melancthon 
Whelpley,  William  W.  Phillips,  D.D. 


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